I’m not accustomed to being poked in the shoulder by a player but that’s what happened when the media quizzed Miguel Angel Jimenez about the problems he faced in hosting the Open de Andalucia Costa del Sol.
Jimenez, 48 posted six birdies in a four under par 68 to move into a share of second on seven under par with fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal (69) on the Aloha course.
Miguel Angel Jimenez greeted by his son Miguel Angel Jimenez Jnr after moving into a share of second place on day two of the Andalucian Open. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
But it was another Spaniard in Eduardo de la Riva who heads the field carding a 69 for an eight under par tally.
Barcelona-born De La Riva, ranked 610th in the world, has been to the Tour School nine times, qualified for the event through the Spanish domestic order of merit.
Jimenez is believed to have invested over Euro 1m in the six years he has been hosting the event that he’s also won twice before.
And Jimenez reminded those myself and the handfull of other journalists present to speak to him after his round of his monetary input.
Jimenez first tapped me on the shoulder and then in pointing to his back pocket containing his wallet he said: “Don’t forget everything this week comes from there.
“So I need to win the tournament to pay for all the expenses.
”But it’s very difficult hosting a tournament as it takes me ages to walk from point a to b but I am lucky I a good team around me to care of everybody.”
Should Jimenez win a 19th Race to Dubai success it would earn him a prize cheque of £140,000 in a career where he’s won over £16m.
Footnote –
While Jimenez was reminding all and sundry of his input into the event it has not gone without notice and he was thanked for all he’s done particularly for the media.
This week we have again been enjoying superb Spanish food in the Aloha clubhouse while Maria Acacia and her team have been wonderful in looking after our media centre needs and also ensuring we are picked up and returned each day to our nearby hotel.
So again, a big thank you to Miguel Angel Jimenez.
